Laowai

We ride our bikes to take Bea to school most days. It’s a five minute ride. Claire rides on the bike seat. 

Today I was on my bike, almost home, when my neighbor pulled up next to me in her car SUV. She asked if I had a car. I told her yes we have a car. I told her that we used to not have a car and it was intentional. She said Oh I just saw you in the rain the other day and then she offered to give Bea a ride to school anytime. Oh thanks. And then she said (she really said this) You are such an inspiration on your bike everyday. 

This woman is nice and I actually felt more of a connection with her than I do with many of the neighbors. But, it was such a strange exchange. It’s a different world here. The idea that she could not fathom a bike being a real viable form of transportation was just strange and… I don’t know strange.

Here’s Bea on her way to school back in August: